Floral tributes have been left in Wickford town centre to remember Grace Millane

Sadly, New Zealand Police revealed yesterday (Saturday, December 8) that her disappearance was being treated as a homicide investigation.

Then, earlier this morning, a further update from Auckland City Police confirmed that a body had been found.

Formal identification is yet to take place, although detective inspector Scott Beard said in a statement that the search for Grace had ended.

A body, believed to be Grace Millane, was found on Sunday (December 9) morning

DI Beard said: "Since early this morning a scene examination has been underway in a section of bush on Scenic Drive in the Waitakere Ranges.

"This area was identified late last night as a location of interest as a result of our investigative work.

"I can now advise that shortly after 4pm today, we located a body which we believe to be Grace.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard speaks at the scene where the body was found (Image: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

"The formal identification process will now take place, however based on the evidence we have gathered over the past few days, we expect that this is Grace.

"Obviously this brings the search for Grace to an end. It is an unbearable time for the Millane family and our hearts go out to them.

"The investigation will continue though for some time yet."

The scene where a body was found in the Waitakere Ranges (Image: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old man, who had been speaking to New Zealand Police in connection with Grace's disappearance, will be charged with her murder when he appears at Auckland District Court on Monday morning (December 10).

Grace, who graduated from the University of Lincoln with a Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing before heading on a year-long trip around the world, arrived in New Zealand on November 20.